Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma system that includes a plasma chamber; an RF driver driving RF bursts into the plasma chamber with an RF frequency greater than 2 MHz; a nanosecond pulser driving pulses into the plasma chamber with a pulse repetition frequency a peak voltage, the pulse repetition frequency being less than the RF frequency and the peak voltage being greater than 2 kV; a first filter disposed between the RF driver and the plasma chamber; and a second filter disposed between the nanosecond pulser and the plasma chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a bladeless radiator cooling fan. In one example, a system may include a plurality of bladeless entrainment discs surrounded by a shroud, each bladeless entrainment disc including a hollow central opening that enables unrestricted ambient airflow through the cooling fan, and a source fan for providing airflow to the bladeless entrainment that is encased by a housing. In this way, airflow through the bladeless radiator cooling fan may be increased, decreasing powered fan usage and decreasing fan noise.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma system comprising: a plasma chamber, an RF plasma generator, a bias generator, and a controller. The RF plasma generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of RF bursts, each of the plurality of RF bursts including RF waveforms, each of the plurality of RF bursts having an RF burst turn on time and an RF burst turn off time. The bias generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of bias bursts, each of the plurality of bias bursts including bias pulses, each of the plurality of bias bursts having an bias burst turn on time and an bias burst turn off time. In some embodiments the controller is in communication with the RF plasma generator and the bias generator that controls the timing of various bursts or waveforms.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage, high frequency switching circuit.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage pulsing power supply. A high voltage pulsing power supply may include: a high voltage pulser having an output that provides pulses with an amplitude greater than about 1 kV, a pulse width greater than about 1 ?s, and a pulse repetition frequency greater than about 20 kHz; a plasma chamber; and an electrode disposed within the plasma chamber that is electrically coupled with the output of the high voltage pulser to produce a pulsing an electric field within the chamber.

Abstract: A high voltage power system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the high voltage power system includes a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz; and a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output. In some embodiments, the bias compensation circuit can include a blocking diode; and a DC power supply arranged in series with the blocking diode.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system including a tool drill string having a downhole device is disclosed. The downhole device includes a memory storing instructions and a downhole processor configured to execute the instructions to operate in a first transmission mode by default. The downhole processor is communicatively coupled to an uphole processor via the first transmission mode. The downhole processor is further to transmit, via a second transmission mode, a message to the uphole processor, determine whether a response is received, via the second transmission mode, from the uphole processor, and responsive to determining the response is received from the uphole processor, switch from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a vehicle elevation height for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle. Example methods may include performing a quantitative balancing analysis using baseline factors, establishing optimal values for operational goals of a vehicle based on the quantitative balancing analysis, determining a vehicle elevation height that achieves the established optimal values for the operational goals of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle delivery parameters using normalized values, and initiating on a winch system elevation of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the determined vehicle elevation height for launching.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a resonant converter klystron driver. A resonant converter klystron driver, for example, may include an input power supply; a full-bridge circuit coupled with the input power supply; a resonant circuit coupled with the full-bridge; a step-up transformer coupled with the resonant circuit; a rectifier coupled with a step-up transformer; a filter stage coupled with the rectifier; and an output coupled with the filter stage. In some embodiments, the output could be coupled with a klystron.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma system comprising: a plasma chamber, an RF plasma generator, a bias generator, and a controller. The RF plasma generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of RF bursts, each of the plurality of RF bursts including RF waveforms, each of the plurality of RF bursts having an RF burst turn on time and an RF burst turn off time. The bias generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of bias bursts, each of the plurality of bias bursts including bias pulses, each of the plurality of bias bursts having an bias burst turn on time and an bias burst turn off time. In some embodiments the controller is in communication with the RF plasma generator and the bias generator that controls the timing of various bursts or waveforms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coupling a robotic surgical tool with a tool driver of a robotic surgical system via a sterile barrier disposed between the tool and the tool driver. The sterile barrier can have a housing configured to accommodate proximal portions of a plurality of actuation members of the tool driver when the sterile barrier is coupled to the tool driver. The housing can have at least partially disposed within it substantially cylindrical, longitudinally expandable bellows, each being configured to encompass and mate with a proximal portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuation members. In some cases, the sterile barrier can have a plurality of sterile barrier couplers each having a first portion configured to engage with an actuation member of a tool driver, and a second portion configured to engage with a tool actuation member of a surgical tool.

Abstract: A plasma deposition system comprising a wafer platform, a second electrode, a first electrode, a first high voltage pulser, and a second high voltage pulser. In some embodiments, the second electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform. In some embodiments, the second electrode can include a disc shape with a central aperture; a central axis, an aperture diameter, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform and within the central aperture of the second electrode. In some embodiments, the first electrode can include a disc shape, a central axis, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the first electrode. In some embodiments, the second high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the second electrode.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage, high frequency switching circuit. In some embodiments, the high voltage, high frequency switching circuit includes a high voltage switching power supply that produces pulses having a voltage greater than 1 kV and with frequencies greater than 10 kHz; a transformer having a primary side and secondary side; an output electrically coupled with the secondary side of the transformer; and a primary sink electrically coupled with the primary side of the transformer and in parallel with the high voltage switching power supply, the primary sink comprising at least one resistor that discharges a load coupled with the output.